The Beach Bums Study is at risk of being caught short……. of volunteers.

We urgently need both surfing and non-surfing volunteers to support this important study. There is no time to waste; the study closes on 20th November so this will be your last chance to support this pioneering work.

To volunteer, email [email protected] and we’ll send you out a Beach Bums kit immediately. Complete the sample and send it back to the lab for analysis without delay.

The Beach Bums Study sees SAS once again collaborating with the University of Exeter’s European Centre for the Environment and Human Health (ECEHH). This work is investigating the levels of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in our guts to test the hypothesis that surfers could have elevated levels due to exposure to the marine environment. Previous work by the ECEHH has shown the presence of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in the seas around the UK. It’s estimated that by 2050, 10 million people will die annually because of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria. A potentially tragic statistic. The Beach Bum study could identify a significant source of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria and allow us to tackle the issue without delay. Early analysis from the ECEHH is indicating some really interesting results, but without more volunteers the data won’t be able to show statistical significance

Volunteers are asked to insert a small and discrete swab (smaller than a cotton bud stick) ¼ inch into your rectum. Almost 150 volunteers have already supplied samples and from personal experience we can assure you it sounds much worse than it is. Then quickly return the swab in the package provided.

If the study is able to show surfers have a greater colonization of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in their gut, SAS will have a powerful lever to call for an end to sewer overflow discharges and improved land management practices. Reducing the flow of antibiotics into the environment is key to tackling the problems associated with Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria. Scientists are worried that the bacteria are becoming resistant faster than we can develop new antibiotics. And a world without antibiotics would send medical treatment back to the dark ages. Cancer treatments, operations and simple infections would come with a much greater risk of death.

To volunteer, email [email protected] and we’ll send you out a Beach Bums kit immediately with a SAE.

Thanks for your support on this important issue.